Discover Connecticut’s Spring Birds

Adapted from a conversation with Master Birder Frank Mantlik and Nature Initiative Director Mark Fowler

The great thing about birdwatching is that it can be done alone or with others – family, neighbors, or friends – (socially-distant and wearing masks), any time of day, and just about anywhere. It’s easy to enjoy birds in one’s own yard, particularly if you have trees and shrubs. You can easily attract more birds to your yard by installing bird feeders and/or a water bath.

Generally there is more songbird activity early in the morning, before the heat of the day quiets them down. It’s easy to visit your “local patch” – a local park or pond – in search of birds. Besides looking for them visually, listen for their vocalizations and track them down to see them.

Each season has its particular types of bird species that are more prevalent. Some bird species, such as woodpeckers and cardinals, live here year round. During spring, many species of songbirds, herons, waterbirds, shorebirds, and hawks return to Connecticut from their wintering grounds to the south.

Some common birds to look for during the spring in Connecticut are:

In everyone’s busy work-life, we need a way to relax or unwind … often by going outdoors. Various nature and Audubon centers and bird clubs offer a wide selection of bird walks. And it can have a great social aspect as well. Since most people have cameras on their phones, a lot of people are discovering birds as subjects. There are also many resources for people to research birds to help with identification, including printed and digital field guides. There are numerous apps, as well, such as Merlin and iNaturalist, that can help quickly identify species.

Did you see these or any other birds?

Share your photos with us @gracefarmsct and use #RestoringWild